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Drenthe. A land made for cycling

Hembrow Cycling Holidays is based in Assen, the capital of the province of Drenthe. While the Dutch know Drenthe as the "cycling province" and it's a very popular destination for them, Drenthe is still virtually undiscovered by cyclists from the rest of the world. This least densely populated area of the Netherlands, criss-crossed by thousands of kilometres of cycle-paths separated from the road, offers peace and tranquility. Cycling in Drenthe is always an enjoyable experience.

We make use of the best of the extensive network to provide interesting tours for young and old, fast and slow, experienced and less experienced cyclists. Each day you'll see something different. Our routes pass through areas of stiltegebied which offer almost complete silence well away from any motorised traffic, but also take safe routes to town centres.

You will ride through woods and heath, along dikes, by canals, across bridges, to farms and windmills, cafes and restaurants, museums and monuments, flower fields and hunebedden.

This website includes four example itineraries for individuals, couples, families and groups. However, our cycling holidays are for everyone. Whether you are experienced or a relative newcomer to cycling, wish to cycle alone or bring a group, we have a holiday which is perfect for you.

Our cycling holidays provide an experience which is "All Pleasure and no Stress". We plan, you ride. Our ready planned routes lead in all directions from our base in Assen into the countryside.

Use the buttons on the left to select the type of holiday you are interested in.

How we tour

We don't like to be too hurried on holiday and we don't think you want to be either. We start each day after leaving plenty of time for breakfast, we stop somewhere nice for coffee & lunch and we return to our hotel or B&B in plenty of time for an evening meal. Cycling should be fun and enjoyable, not stressful and difficult.

Contact us to make a booking.

If you have special dietary needs, such as being a vegetarian or vegan, we can help. Just let us know.

About us

Judith and David Hembrow are experienced English cycle tourists and campaigners who now live in Assen in the Netherlands. We initially visited because it is such a wonderful place to cycle. We came here to live after finding the Dutch people to be so very friendly and agreeable. It took us a lot of visits before we decided that Assen was the place to live.

In the past we have toured, raced and commuted on our bikes. We've ridden alone, with each other, with friends and with children and we have worked in cycle promotion in the UK.

Study Tours

Assen boasts some of the best cycling infrastructure in the world. The resultant cycling modal share is beyond cities in other countries. Because the infrastructure is so exceptional, in addition to the holidays, we also offer tours for transport professionals and campaigners which show off the infrastructure and the methods of planning which have achieved such results.

There are more details of the Study Tours on the Study Tour web page.

We also have a page of photos of Dutch cycling facilities some of which are featured on the tours. We also have a page with more information about Assen. For those with an interest we have links to articles on Cycle friendly design and Cycle Promotion in the Netherlands.